FAQs

Q: How far ahead should I book?

A: As soon as possible – our courses fill up fast. By registering early and securing your place, all you’ll have left to do is count the days, weeks, months, even years till you become a Gapper!

Q: Is there a minimum age for your courses?

A: Yes. You must be eighteen years old at the start of the course to participate in our programmes. Exceptions can be made, please contact Ski le Gap.

Q: I want to get a job teaching after Ski le Gap – will I be accepted to teach in France/New Zealand/USA/et al?

A: All certifications offered by Ski le Gap are internationally recognized. Regulations vary by country and even by ski school. If you’re not sure, contact the ski school director of the school(s) you’re interested in and see what their requirements are. Keep in mind that there are always opportunities – former ‘Gappers’ are teaching all over the world!

Q: I’m interested in the Intensive Training course and I’m not a beginner – but I’m not a pro either! How good do I have to be to join?
A: We require that you feel comfortable on your skis/board and that you are able to ski / ride intermediate runs (red / blue) without difficulty – but you don’t need to be an expert.

Q: Is there a skill requirement for the three-month Ultimate Experience course?

A: No – you can be a beginner and come on our course… Your ability will be assessed at the start of the course and you’ll be placed in the appropriate group

Q: How much spending money should I bring on the course?
A: This depends entirely on you and your spending habits. Our courses have been designed as all-inclusive so all your food is included as are nightly and weekend activities. Your spending will be determined by you: how much you go out to the pubs, how much you’ll be spending at the boutiques at the Tremblant, money spent on the trips away for souvenirs, etc.

Q: Can my friends and family come and visit while I’m in Canada? Where should they stay?
A: It’s wonderful that your friends and family are thinking of visiting while you’re here! The best resource for information would be the Tremblant resort website: www.tremblant.com. It has a lot of information about lodging as well as skiing and other activities.

A few of the pros of joining Ski le Gap include:

• Our ski instructors are Level 4 and work exclusively for Ski le Gap – they are the Dream Team.
• All meals are included seven days a week – During the week breakfast, supper and packed lunch, then on the weekends it is brunch and supper, and all meals are ‘all you can eat’.
• And Ski le Gap is the Original Ski/Snowboard Instructor course which began in 1994.

Q: When is the deadline for applications?

Places are on a first come first come basis. All that you need to reserve your place is the online registration form and fee of £150.
The majority of students are registered by April / May of the previous season.

Q: Do you offer any payment plans when paying for the Ultimate Experience?

A: Our payment plan is set up so that you pay in two installments, the first one is in June and the remainder is due in October. We also work with individuals to set up plans that work best for them. Call us to discuss this further.

Q: Would you be able to give me a rough figure of how much someone, after completing a course, can expect to earn?

A: The salary you will earn as an instructor will depend on which area you work in and which company. The salaries can vary depending on your qualifications and would be approximately $13-$15 per hour in this area.

I understand that food is included in the price, but does this include food at the weekends?

Yes, it includes full board which means breakfast (huge breakfast with hot buffet and eggs cooked to your liking, also croissants, fresh fruit, pancakes… etc), lunch (packed lunch during the week, we will set out the options you put them together) and supper (also huge, buffet style with a salad bar). The weekends the food is also included – brunch and supper.

Are there any insurance companies that you encourage clients to use? OR are there any that you recommend?

We send you a list of insurance companies that our clients have used in the past so that you have an idea of the ones that offer insurance that covers our type of experience.

How much does it cost to stay on for the extra 2-weeks and what does the price include?

The extra gap is £1100 it includes your ski pass, all food, all instruction and transportation to and from the mountain.

When would payment be required if I signed up for January Ultimate Experience?

All that is required at this time is the £150 registration fee. Course fees are payable in two instalments. The first instalment for the Ultimate Experience programme would be £2500 due in June and the balance due October 15th.

When would payment be required if I signed up for November Intensive Training?

All that is required at this time is the £150 registration fee. Course fees are payable in two instalments. The first instalment for the Intensive Training course would be £1500 due June 30th and the balance would be due September 30th.

Q:I would like to snowboard if possible, however I’m unsure if my ability is at the right level – to what standard should I be able to board to apply for the course?


A: If you are coming on the Ultimate Experience, you have the option to ski, board or do both. If you would like to try both you can cross over at the end of the season from Skier to Boarder. If you are on the Intensive training programme, it is best to do the sport that you feel most comfortable with as the training time to become an instructor is much shorter.

Q: How competent would I need to be before the Intensive Training course to pass in such a short period of time?

A: You must be able to ski/ride a blue run in a comfortable parallel or in linked turns.

Q: I was wondering whether I had to get a work visa in order to work out in Canada after the course?

We help you with the work visa, we get you the job interview, then we help you find accommodations for the rest of the season, and you concentrate on getting your Level 1 qualification.

What proportion of people looking to instruct after the Intensive training find employment?

Students who have stayed in the area to work have found employment. The amount of work will vary from one week to the next, depending on the weather, tourists, school holidays, and of course your personal work ethic. This is like any other employment – you must be on time, be willing to teach different age groups, and be eager, dependable and willing to work. We also recommend you be available for work during the Holiday season.

If I do Ski le Gap in Tremblant am I able to teach in Europe with the qualifications?

The CSIA is an internationally recognized qualification. We have had students teach in France however the French prefer their own qualification

Can I get employment with Ski le Gap?

Every season we choose the best clients to come back for one more season to work as a Ski le Gap residential facilitator

Can I come back and get employment with Ski le Gap as an instructor?

All our instructors are Level 3 or Level 4 and therefore employment as an instructor would not be possible but we do occasionally have other employment opportunities.

After qualifying as an instructor, say in March , would the student be able to stay on an earn some money during the rest of the season. If so how much and for how long?

As our season ends in early April the students who are interested in teaching usually get together and head off to New Zealand. We have several instructors and past Gappers who can help you with additional information if this is something that interests you.

Q:Do you provide help with what equipment we should pruchase?

A: Yes, the day after arrival is shopping day. We send our instructors shopping with you to help you purchase any equipment that you would like. Our instructors are Level 4 and they have a lot of experience and depending on which qualifications you are hoping to train for while you are here, they can give you expert advice.

I am concerned about my A Level results. Would it be possible to join after A level results in the summer?

Although our fees are non-refundable we make an exception for people who did not get the A-level results that they had hoped for. If you are one of these people, we will refund all payments made except for the £150 registration fee along with any bank fees or exchange rate fluctuations.

The level 1 CASI examination cost is included with the price. How much do any other extra qualifications cost?

The other examination fees vary every year as they are paid directly to the CSIA. In order to find out the costs of each exam that you are interested in doing, please contact us and we will find out the exact costs for you.

Are there secure lockers in the rooms for valuables such as laptops and cameras?

It is up to you and your roommates to keep your room locked, There are no secure lockers in the rooms but we do offer a safe in the office for personal items such as passports and travelers cheques.